...Follow the Multi-Colored Path..written by Gale Stevenson

In The Distant..   C.T.Rasmuss, India ink/gouache (2010).


Time for me to follow the multi-colored path to my room,
and see if I can locate the stars in this starry-starry night sky.
                                       -Gale Stevenson

On Tuesday night I edited a previous blog called Artist Melting Pot, in reflection of a swell musical performance earlier that evening(link found below); tonight I am blogging about the above photo in which Gale Stevenson wrote these accompanying words for, just last night.

I really appreciate her doing it, how my painting was able to encourage such words, and in turn encouraging me and other people that my painting alone wouldn't otherwise be able to reach. 

 I thinks it's a real example of an artist's Artist Melting Pot, in action!  Not only does it have a title, but an Identity now...Thank you Gale for 'pouring' into the 'Melting Pot' haha!  

Sweet Dreams to you too!!

click here to view "Artist Melting Pot"

'Ode to Vincent Van Gogh'; Day 5 by C.T.Rasmuss

Fish Jump Too, 14 of 100   C.T.Rasmuss, India ink (2012).

Concentric Daisies, 15 of 100   C.T.Rasmuss, India ink (2012).

Quixote in The Orient, 16 of 100   C.T.Rasmuss, India ink (2012).

Kevin Loughran Whew!! Your Marathon is Gathering Pace, Chad!! I am reminded of a quote by Picasso... "There IS Inspiration Out There, but It has to Find Us Working." You are Certainly Working Hard, and I'm Sure that Some Ace Pics will be Seen... :)

11 hours ago · Unlike · 1

Thanks again Kevin for the boost in spirit! 

 I hope your right, lol!...I find it ironic how you mention Picasso, because coincidentally I focused on his style in preparation for the above works that I did just last night(w/ India ink).

As a framer last year, I worked on some prints of his, some minimalist/iconic ink drawings he did; I've always wanted to try it(as minimalism is on the other-side of the spectrum, challenging for me).

I have a similar interest in prints from the East like Van Gogh did; he was a Western pioneer in his interest however, 

but still!  I think Picasso brings an interesting twist to "Ode to Vincent Van Gogh"; 100 in 30 Days..

as Picasso was 'A Terrorist on Idleness'!!!

'Ode to Vincent Van Gogh' Day 4 by C.T.Rasmuss

Indigo Blossoms, 9 of 100  C.T.Rasmuss, India ink (2012).

Ode to Donald "Wayne" Cadwallader, 11 of  100  C.T.Rasmuss India ink (2012).

I pour some freshly brewed coffee in preparation for another extended night of painting; I think to myself about how it's already 7 pm, and I'm just now ready to start on my work.. 

"Well I did wake up late", due to a long night last night after completing the above pieces and two others, rounding out 12 pieces in 3 days...I'm partially filled with regret on one hand how I'm always starting late, and filled with anxiety on the other Wondering "How will I ever finish this?"

One thing that quickly enters my thoughts is, "People do this all the time don't they?? people who do production, commercial art, or have to fill such quotas"; I personally don't take part in any such work, so my experience is nil with that sorta thing..."This is different I convince myself!!"  

"I'm doing it for a sense of purpose!"

A War on Idleness, it's my Ode to Vincent Van Gogh, and only after this, am I ready to once again attack the stillness of  the night with a confidence that's required to fulfill the Quest..

                  

'Ode to Vincent Van Gogh', Day 2 by C.T.Rasmuss

4 of 100 in 30 Days  C.T.Rasmuss, India ink (Nov. 22, 2012).

        Well, it's Day 2 of 30 in which I will attempt to reach 100 paintings, as a tribute to Van Gogh's proliferation in his God-given talent.  The above painting was number 4 out of the five I was able to finish yesterday, as part of Day 1; it's a mere "5 X "7, a piece of foam core I had

- something I could afford at the time of purchase(discounted due to bent corners/and I had cut down for better efficiency).

I used only India ink yesterday, and learned many things from just this piece alone(tones of purple/gray particularly in this case), surely to be re-evaluated after the 30 days is up; this is just one battle out of a hundred on my War on Idleness!

Now it's back to work!!

Ode to Vincent Van Gogh: '100 Paintings in 30 Days' by C.T.Rasmuss

Pews & Hues  C.T.Rasmuss, permanent marker on canvas (2012).

Well I looked and I looked and couldn't find what I was looking for; I've heard that Van Gogh worked on something like 100 paintings in Paris before his death...there are all kinds of numbers and days that they took place in, but I'm not concerned with all that really.   

I, like many others happen to be fascinated with this artist's dedication through out his short life.  Not to take away from other prolific artists who lived short lives such as Seurat who only lived to be 31, but there's just something about Van Gogh's story I'm particularly drawn to.

In light of whatever the truth may be, I've decided to attempt 100 Paintings in 30 Days, paying respect to Vincent's commitment to something he could hardly understand himself.  My goal isn't to reach a goal/quota, it's the whole idea of having a 'purpose', a vision and execution thereof; simply understanding an experience by experiencing it myself...and in my own way.

The drawing above has been around for awhile(about a year or so), I touched it up just the other day and it's what gave me this idea.  Today is the 2nd step in that process, to set it in motion; and after 30 days whether I have 100 masterpieces or just 100 studies, it's the experience that's most important to me here..

WISH ME LUCK!!!

'Confucius Says'..

Himalayan Sun  C.T.Rasmuss Permanent marker (2012).

Confucius says:

‘The wise find pleasure in waters, the virtuous in mountains’

And after my experience of drawing, Himalayan Sun today; may I add the following- to these wise words of Confucius..

C.T. Rasmuss says:

            

          "and enlightenment stretching out to the sun."

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Hence! Confucius and C.T. Rasmuss together say:

"The wise find pleasure in waters, the virtuous in mountains, and  enlightenment stretching out to the sun."

'Walk the Line' by C.T. Rasmuss

Walk the Line  C.T. Rasmuss, watercolor/ink (2012).

It was a Saturday night, last night in fact and I was in the middle of watching Walk the Line; a movie based on Johnny Cash's autobiography, hence the title for the painting/drawing above.  I's about the 5th time I saw the movie, but the best experience of watching it yet; as I have come to better understand his struggles personally since 1st seeing it in 2005. 

I've been intrigued by his persona (The Man in Black) ever since I could remember, and after an hour into it last night I had an urge to accomplish something myself.  During a commercial I went into my closet and grabbed the 1st canvas or 'watercolor' paper I could get my hands on and ended up with this one, a piece that already had this watercolor on it; rather using the fresh back I instantly recalled saving it three years prior in hopes of returning to it.  

So I just started on the unfinished side, filling in what I could see with an ink pen to finish what I started; and sorta like how Cash and Mrs. Carter returned to each other in the end for a great/true ending - so did I with this artwork so to speak, lol!

After finalizing it. I then wondered what to title it.."Walk the Line"! hit me instantaneously, but I thought it would be too cliche...then just after studying it some more today, it came to me again.."Walk the Line"!!  

This time instead I noticed the idea of a wild/meandering line leading from the bottom left corner up to the heavens fading into the top right corner; with the sun position in the top left and our moon in the bottom right corner.  

And so you have it, my correspondence to 'Walking the line"!!!

Guerrilla Artfare at White Castle

Well We made it to White Castle at midnight on the button, we were out of there within 15 minutes; did some reading from Thomas Paine's Rights of Man (by Red Rodney & Pop.Calypse in the tradition of responsibly, exercising our rights to freedom of speech).

Here are some photos of what took place, more to come; including video poetry by Pop.Calypse inside White Castle over coffee.  Even though the turn out happened to be 'just we three', it did happen and we followed through:

White Castle parking lot

White Castle parking lot

White Castle Sonata II  C.T.Rasmuss, India ink performance (Nov. 17, 1012).

White Castle parking lot, trunk of car.

Next target happens on Dec. 7th at midnight..

Location to be determined 24 hours prior to SONArTA's next operation.

Guerrilla-Style-Artistic Performance at a White Castle by SONArTA.

White Castle Sonata, original  c.T.rasmuss, ink on scrap paper (2012).



Well small things such as a doodle on scrap paper, over coffee at a White Castle can lead to bigger and better things!  Just come out to the White Castle on MLK and see for your own eyes:

 WHITE CASTLE Restaurant; 3400 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH;
If you like Jazz, Freedom of Speech, Democracy, Live Action Painting or even the writings of 18th Century author/activist, Thomas Payne...Be in the parking lot of this White Castle at midnight on Friday, Nov. the 16th; where you will Find T-Paine, PoP.calypse and Red-Rodney continuing the story through a brief, harmless performance of Art/Spoken word..  


Join us in the name of art, and the freedoms that our great country still allows us to exorcise; our right to free speech and expression thereof!!! 



SONArTA- Sonata/Art:  

A small movement of assembled artists,

PoP.calypse (2012)

Huang Gongwang's 'Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains' (Part 2of 2).

China Horizon  C.T.Rasmuss, India ink (2012).

Last Friday I blogged (Part 1of 2) and noted that I ran into bit of a problem using Huang Gongwang's 'Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains' as a composition for my action painting performance at Creativa.  Well the performance went great resulting in 'White Castle Sonata' and the bonus is the resulting piece above: 

China Horizon; basically Gongwang's masterpiece below sparked this whole arrangement for me.

Well thanks Huang for the direction, if you ever get a chance to read this or see this piece (which is an entirely different story).  It is what it is....the whole premises for my piece; which starts with a single line in the hills continuing onto the right of the background.

Although this starting point is the only part I truly incorporated from Gongwang's masterpiece, I still couldn't have created it with out the help of an artist that lived nearly 800 years ago-on the other side of the world...

Small world after all, ey?....with plenty of inspiration I might add!!!

                          Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains (1st half)  Huang Gongwang (1350).      

Thwarting at White Castle Leads to 'White Castle Sonata'

White Castle Sonata  C.T.Rasmuss, India Ink (2012).

So friend/colleague Fred Tarr and I went to some galleries in Walnut Hills last Friday...I must say a disappointment in many ways; but we recovered with a good ale at a local bar, The Comet and later some coffee inspired conversation at White Castle.  In an odd and unconventional way it answered the question: 

Why even go to galleries in the first place? what do you find there, why not just go to a movie??

Well, it's free!! jk...seriously though what comes around goes around I guess; but actually it seems to be hit or miss, the important thing is what you leave with I'm thinkin.

Some leave with an artwork, others leave with new ideas about life 'n' such...on this particular night I left with a story to tell you, some photos of surrounding landmarks, good conversation and the idea/schematics for this painting; which seemingly has sparked much more material for the future - all in all well worth it.

Now my friend/colleague from Creativa - Shawn Abnoxious, blogger for Thwart Magazine, started an idea awhile back about surrounding many a conversation at a local White Castle.  And he's come up with a special event approaching very soon, he'd have to tell you more about it. 

 So...

The major coincidence started earlier last week (before Friday) when he 1st approached me about using a painting of mine, as a cover for his event.  Again I wasn't aware of any specific details til last Saturday.  Where this interesting parallel finally became apparent, being that we both arrived at the intersection of an idea derived at a White Castle; in which we approached this odd source of an idea for 'art' from opposite directions. 

Where I drew up the schematics for this artwork over a coffee, and his which was destined to the same place of discovery from hence mine began: 'Full Circle', literally if you will; where this painting will soon be returning to it's original place of birth taking on a different 'life' form.

Definitely worth the trip to the gallery Fred!!!

'Purple People Bridge' of Cincinnati, OH

Purple People Bridge  C.T.Rasmuss, watercolor (2010).


"When the Mood Strikes You!"

Sure!  We've all heard this one before and when it did; this is what I did in the early days of Spring-2010.  I drove down to Newport, Kentucky and set-up to paint this bridge; it's a bridge with a history, just recently re-opened I'd just encountered it after being back in town 6 months or so at the time.

 (Cincinnati that is)

I've visited the bridge only a few times to paint since back in 2011, and it's not because the mood hasn't struck me, as in fact the mood's struck me countless times.  I've been back down there plenty of times for art exhibits in the area, I even have a studio across the river in Cinci; and I park on that side all the time for Red's games, or the numerous events always going on downtown ..I guess it's just that 'it' hasn't struck me hard enough I suppose, and the thought of lugging all my stuff down there (not enough stuff for a good excuse); it also isn't the crowds of people that scare me away neither. 

 I really think it's just a force that mysteriously blows the other way:

The mood strikes me and then an ostentatious gust of wind blows it back in the other direction...so as of today I vow to take my brush to the 'Purple People Bridge' and apply it to the canvas; right when the 1st snow hits which seems to be my fate, a way to redeem myself.  It also makes for a good study, a study in comparing the bridge in the Spring to the Winter's Bridge-side of things..  

And you are all my witnesses to hold me to it; and to all of those of who read yesterday's blog, I did go into my class today and finished that artwork I promised myself teaching some good art-students all the while..summing up a great day as it will be a great day this winter when I attempt this 'Bridge' once again!!!

Relief at last!!!!! 

Acrylic I think I'll use..

Rockefeller, Carnegie, J.P. Morgan & The Inspired Artist

India Ink-Still Life 2  C.T.Rasmuss, India Ink (2012).

In reference to Rockefeller, Carnegie & J.P. Morgan, these great innovators of "Modern America", who am ?  Am I a great innovator as well, by way of being an artist??

I've learned that these men gleamed into the future with 'clutching fists', where by no means I
m no powerful man or industrial tycoon, but I do hope to be very prosperous, just like any human being has an equal right to. 

It's no doubt that I hope to inspire others through my art, but I stop to ask myself: "Is what I teach and do power and/or innovation?..or is it just ideas & examples of beauty?"  Do I really need to be the "greatest artist to ever live"(or my generation) to be successful"?. as they were the greatest at their profession of the time.   

Whatever the answer I find for myself, I'll continue to fight through the struggles and persevere like these successful men did in their respective fields; while all the time, positioning my integrity toward the highest of  artistic priorities.  

So I'd like to thank this blog, the people who hear what I have to say, and all those who enjoy what we artists  do(tycoon or not).  I will prove my appreciation of art in general by going into work tomorrow afternoon, and turn out the best students I can, as well as the best 'India Ink-Still Life 3' within the rejuvenated 'clutching' of my brush!!!

All in all, I really hope to carry on the legacy of my generation, and to do my part in filling the gaps between "compilations" of the generations before and after me in the best way I know how; through color, shape and pure artistry.  

All  in The Name of Culture and Prosperity, The best to you all!!!

"How Much do you Want for that Painting?"

Comet Characteristic 2  C.T. Rasmuss, acrylic (2011).

"How Much do you Want for that Painting?"

Something all of us artists come across eventually, if your fortunate to stay at the profession long enough; and upon hearing such a phrase, for some it may be music to the ears.  As far as for me, personally as some others out there, it's at first a compliment(and very much appreciated that someone actually shows interest in what you put your heart into) but then another reality sets in: $ - 'The evil of all evils".  

So, trade this piece of beauty for that ugly, bacteria laden paper?? well as they say: "it takes all kinds" and the way I'm referencing it here, is that I need to live, to eat, I need more supplies and to finance (another one of those unwanted terms) ways of introducing the public, to new ideas and my works of art they otherwise couldn't (hopefully)appreciate...and I, the artist as a result have the pleasure to fulfill my 

-Dreams, my Destiny.  

So I would like to let 'everyone' out there know, that I personally would like to sell each piece of artwork for $100,000 to a millionaire, or 5 bucks to those who have less than me; but of course depending on the time and material put into the artwork in question(give or take a few thousand, haha).

Still!  The question remains: "How Much do you Want for that Painting?"

'Well whatever you can spare if the price is: Fair!'

...and as always thank you very much for askin!!!

                                      

               - C.T. Rasmuss

Huang Gongwang's 'Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains' (Part 1of 2).

So I enjoy meeting with an artist's group called, Creativa where there's always a plethora of mediums and backgrounds from which the artist operate; we've meet every 2nd Saturday for the last 5 years here in Cincinnati, OH. great times I might add!!

Monthly dilemma: what to do?  Like any other piece I attempt, I'm lucky in that it usually comes to me quick, then I just need to figure which direction to go in; again most like any other time, but this is a live performance which I've incorporated over the last few times we've met.  Here's my process for tonight; (short and quick) if your interested...

note: some variations in steps/order for each time I prepare, as artists are hopefully always changing their ways!!


Step 1: MEDIUM-  Which will be India Ink tonight.

Step 2: SET UP-     I will be using what I have available, which is a large sheet of heavy watercolor paper
                               tonight.


Step 3: COMPOSITION-
                               
                                Tonight I decided for the 1st time to pay homage to the originators of this  
                                medium; and  I'm now in the hunt to learn more about one of these masters from                             
                                the East.


Step 4: SKETCH- Once I find what strikes me, I'll learn more about their work, and quickly sketch it.

Step 5: CHOOSE MUSIC- I usually choose 3-4 songs totaling under 10-12 minutes, theme's important.

Step 6: EXECUTE!!!

Step 7: SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE REST OF THE NIGHT AND ARTISTS AT WORK!!!

Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains (first half)  Huang Gongwang (1350).

Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains" is one of the few surviving works by the painter Huang Gongwang in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).  He's considered a member of the "four great masters of the Yuan." 

Huang spent his last years in the Fuchun Mountains near Hangzhou and completed this painting in 1350.

After Sketching I ran into bit of a problem..

This MASTERPIECE requires much more than just a quick sketch I believe, and I wouldn't be giving it's due or the artist his respect if I didn't study this very intricate and complex composition much more before executing.  It took an attempt at sketching before realizing this and rather than forcing it; I will now move to plan B, and render a photo I took last night after leaving a disappointing art opening.

TO BE CONTINUED...